Monitoring system for degradation assessment of biodegradable metals using microdialysis and enzymatic-spectrophotometric analysis

One aspect less reported in biodegradable medical implants research is the interaction between the degradable materials with the surrounding implantation site monitored in real-time. This work introduces the use of microdialysis combined with enzymatic spectrophotometric detector as novel tool to monitor degradation of biodegradable metals. The system measures the degradation rate based on the concentration level of metal ion yielded from metal dissolution into the physiological solution. Microdialysis was used as sampling device and the analytes recovered were analyzed using a spectrophotometer via Mg colorimetric assay kit. Experimental results using Mg-0.7Ca alloy specimens showed a good correlation on the degradation kinetic approached by microdialysis sampling and by conventional weight change. With further enhancement by using biosensor, this technique offers practical means for characterizing degradation behavior of biodegradable metals in vivo.